Loader beam assemblies for freight cars, trucks, and the like



Aug. 28, 1962 H. G. RoBERTsoN 3,051,099

LOADER BEAM ASSEMBLIES FOR FREIGHT CARS, TRUCKS, AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 30, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 f L u v am wu von Q N u a m UU l?" no) QQ M R "WI w UQ k n m u In QU gm QW N 1 un Wu n K D u nu u;

o0 e D Q u WU u Run U m a as u :n :QQ

un G n "I H D] l f Q zyfzzaz" Aug. 28, 1962 H. G. ROBERTSON 3,051,099

LOADER BEAM AssEMELIEs FOR FREIGHT cAEs, TRUCKS, AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. :5o. 19Go 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 @MAW/M W/my Aug. 28, 1962 H. G. ROBERTSON LOADER BEAM ASSEMBLIES FOR FREIGHT CARS, TRUCKS, AND THE LIKE Filed NGV` 30, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O 3,051,099 LOADER BEAM ASSEMBLIES FOR FREIGHT CARS, TRUCKS, AND THE LIKE Harry G. Robertson, 12908 S. Elm St., Blue Island, Ill. Filed Nov. 3o, 1960, ser. No. 72,642 3 Claims. (Cl. 10S-369) The present invention relates to loader beam assemblies, and is particularly concerned with loader beam assemblies which are peculiarly adapted to be employed with steel strapping for securing loads in iixed position in freight cars, trucks, or the like.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved loader beam which is adapted to be manufactured by extrusion at 1a low cost and in which the beam may be of external rec-tangular shape provided with slots for passing steel strapping and reinforced by partially cylindrical ribs or ridges integrally attached to the inside of the beam in such position that -they do not interfere with the slots, but may be employed for preventing a sharp bend in the strapping which passes around the ribs or ridges in passing through the loader beam.

Another object is the provision of an extruded reinforced loader beam which is adapted to have elongated slots punched in the beam for passing steel strapping, wire rope, or the like in such manner that the strapping will not slip along the length or around the bar or beam, so that iirm anchoring is provided in any direction; and the beam provides multiple anchoring of the load.

Another object is the provision of an improved loader beam of smooth external rectangular shape which is hollow :and provided with integral longitudinally extending splines or ridges which so increase the strength that the thickness of the wall may be reduced, tending to reduce the weight and cost of the beam.

Another object is the provision of an improved loader beam which may be readily attached to wood members utilized for cushioning or receiving nails or for forming a bulkhead or pallet for bracing and securing loads in freight cars, trucks, or the like.

Another object is the provision of improved and simpliiied modes of attachment of the ends of the loader beams to longitudinal or vertical beams carried by the car or truck Walls.

Another object is the provision of a plurality of loader beam assemblies utilizing my improved loader beam for securing loads in any Vehicle to prevent the shifting of the load `during transport.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description iand the accompanying drawings,.in which similar characters of 4refererence indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the three sheets of drawings accompanying this specification,

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a loaded vehicle, illustrating -the use of my loader beam in securing various types of loads with loader beams and steel strapping;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective, showing the crosssectional shape of the end of a loader beam in conjunction with the slots for receiving steel strapping adjacent reinforcing ribs;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a loader beam structure of the type shown in FIG. 2, provided with an end fitting for securement of the beam to vertical or horizontal frame members on the freight car wall;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational View of FIG. 3, taken on Athe plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of the loader beam end tting;

FIG. 6 is `a fragmentary elevational view in partial 3,051,099 Patented Aug. 28, 1962 section, taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of FIG. 1, showing a box secured to a loader beam by means of a corner clip;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken from the right of FIG. 6 on the plane of the line 7-7 of FIG. 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of the corner clip of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a double box `corner clip for securing boxes next to each other by means ofthe same corner clip, on the plane of the line 9-9 of FIG. l;

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective of the corner clip of FIG. 9;

FIG. ll is a sectional view of an external tongue and groove form of channelled loader beam, a plurality of which are adapted to be secured lside by side by means of steel strapping vor bolts for addedstrength, using as many of these beams as required.

Referring to FIG. 2, this is a view in perspective of an end portion of indeterminate length of a loader beam embodying my invention, although the loader beams are usually `of suilicient length to extend from one car Wall to the other; but they may also extend longitudinally of the car.

The loader beam is preferably a heat treated and extruded raluminum tube of rectangular shape, which may 'be square, and in most cases provided with a smooth exterior having rounded corners. For example, the loader beam 20 may be substantially four by four inches, having four plane exterior sides 21, 22, 23, and 24 joined at the four rounded corners 25, which permit the tightening of a steel strap around the corner without making a sharp bend.

The extruded beam is provided on its inside in each corner with an integral partially cylindrical ridge or spline 26, 27, 28, 29; and it is provided midway between the corner splines on the inside of the side walls 21-24 with the integral side splines 30, 31, 32, 33 of similar shape.

The splines extend from end to end of the beam except where they may be cut away, as shown in FIG. 3, to make room for an end fitting 34.

At regularly spaced points about the periphery, and always adjacent the sides of the splines, the beam is provided with punched holes 35, such as, for example, elongated apertures 35-41a, which also appear on the other sides of the beam, not visible in FIG. 2, and which are located adjacent the splines.

Thus the apertures 36 and 37 are located on the opposite sides of the spline 31 so that a steel strap may enter `one slot 36 and pass around the spline 31 and pass out of the slot 37 without a sharp bend.

These punched apertures are long enough to take the width of the steel strapping and wide enough to permit the strapping of different .thickness to enter; and the holes are preferably provided with rounded ends and sharp punch hole edges may be eliminated during the punching operation by a properly constructed punch. The punching is preferably performed before heat treating.

The holes or slots 35-41a are located at regularly spaced intervals along the beam, as will be seen in FIG. l; and special beam sections may also be made with holes only adjacent one of the splines.

This design of bar or beam will not cut tape, strapping, wire, rope, or `other binding material because of the rounded corners with no sharp edges. The strapping will not slip along the length or around the bar or beam because slotted holes may be provided at desired locations for strapping.

Thus the design gives rm anchoring from any direction and provides multiple anchoring of the load. Bars without apertures rnay be extruded and punched with the holes wherever desired. While the usual dimension of the thickness may be three sixteenths of an inch, the use of the splines or ridges permits a reduced wall thickness because of the added strength due to the splines or ridges, thus helping -to reduce unit weight and cost.

The loader beam may be provided with any type of end fitting for attachment to wall channels; and one example of an end tting is shown in FIG. 3 at 34. This comprises a cast metal member having a relatively thick central wall 42 wide enough to reach from one inside wall to the other inside wall when the splines are removed as shown in FIG. 3.

The body 43 ofthe end fitting may have a substantially rectangular S yshape extending upwardly at 44 against the `side wall 45 and extending downwardly at 46 against the side wall 47. The body 43 may also have a horizontal ange 48 engaging inside the top wall 49 and another horizontal flange 50A engaging inside the bottom wall 51.

The corners of body 43 are preferably rounded, as indicated at 52; and the anges 48 and 50 may be secured to the walls 49 and 50 of -the beam by through screw bolts 53 having countersunk heads and inside nuts 54.

The body of the end fitting 34 may have its central flange 42 elongated and projecting outwardly, being reinforced at the top by a diagonal portion 55 of the vertical ange 44, and also reinforced at the bottom by a diagonal portion 56- of the vertical ange 44.

The central flange 42 may carry a pair of spaced downwardly projecting cylindrical lugs 57, 58 extending at right anrgles to `the ange 42 and adapted to be received in complementary apertures in channels carried by the side walls `of a vehicle, such as a freight car.

Referring to FIG. 1, the opposite walls of the freight car or truck are provided with a pair of longitudinally extending channels 59, 60, which may run the full length of the vehicle, or in the case of `a freight car may extend to the door frame.

Any number of wall channels 59, 60 may be employed at selected heights; and the wall channels have their upper or lower flanges provided with the cylindrical apertures 61 at regularly spaced intervals and spaced far enough to receive the lugs 57, 58, in which the lugs fit.

The channels may be held there by gravity, or upper and lower channels may be provided with loader beams held in place by steel strapping.

The present lloader 'beams are adapted to be used to form bulkheads, such as that, `for example, indicated in its entirety at 62 in FIG. 1. Here an upper loader beam 63 has `a two by four 64 secured to it by bands of steel strapping 65; and the same is true of the lower beam 66, which has a two by four 67 secured to it by steel strapping 68 at regularly spaced intervals.

The vertical pieces of lumber 69 may then be secured to the loader beam assemblies by nails or bolts, forming a bulkhead against which a box 70 'or other load may be engaged and secured by strapping.

Referring to FIG. 1l, this is another loader beam 71 of special shape, having an exterior spline or ridge 72 on one side and a complementary groove formation 73 on the other side so that a plurality of beams 71 may be secured `side by side by means of steel strapping to form a composite beam of desired strength.

rIhe beam may be provided with other integral inner ridges or splines 74 located as desired and having elongated slotted apertures 75, 76 located at regular intervals adjacent the spline.

Referring to FIG. 1, 77 indicates a box held in posi-tion on the floor '78 by a pair of my loader beams 79 and 80 carried by the lower channels 60'. The box is prevented from shiting endwise by loader beams 79 and 80. Steel strapping 82, 83 may extend over the top of the box and downward about both loader beams 79 and 80, Where the ends of the strapping 82 and 83 are anchored -to a pair of other loader beams 84, 85 by means of the usual strapping fasteners 86.

Referring to FIG. 1, 87 indicates a load, such as a roll of sheet metal, standing on end on a pallet 88 and held in position by a pair of loader beams `89 and 90, each of which carries a cushion, such as a bar of lumber 9'1, 92. Besides having the loader beams supported from the Wall channels, they may be drawn tightly against the cylinder 87 by steel `strapping 93, 94 extending from beam 89 to beam 90.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, these are fragmentary views showing a box corner clip, such as one of the four corner clips located at the four corners of the box 96 on the loader beams 79 and 80.

Each corner clip may consist of a metal member having a rectangular bottom wall `97, which supports a pair of integral upwardly extending side flanges 98 and 99' joined together at a corner 100. The side ilanges 98, 99 and corner 100 engage and rlit the corner of the box, which rests on the bottom flange 97.

The bottom flange 97 has a downwardly turned, tapering, anchoring flange 101 located to it in one of the elongated slots `102 `of the beam 79 or `80. 'I'he bottom ange 97 also supports a downwardly extending flange 103 having an inwardly turned end portion `104 which extends into a side slot `105 in the beam 79.

Thus the corner clips 95 may be supported and anchored on the loader beams 79` and 80V so that the box 96 is prevented from shifting in any horizontal direction. If desired, it may also be secured by steel strapping passing about the box and loader beams.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and l0, these are fragmentary views showing a double corner clip for supporting two boxes next to one another.

The double corner clip which is indicated at 107 has a bottom flange 108 and a vertical llange 109 which is joined to the bottom flange by a diagonal intermediate llange 110. The intermediate ange -1-10` is located between two boxes; and the bottom flange is provided with the same anchoring lugs 102, 103.

The steel strapping is, of course, provided with any conventional form of strapping securing joint Wherever two portions of strapping are secured together.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved loader beam and a plurality of loader beam assemblies, the parts of which may be manufactured more economically than any loader beams of equivalent strength now on the market.

The present loader beams `are adapted to be used with steel strapping or other binding material for many different forms of anchoring assemblies for loads on trucks, freight cars, and the like, only a few of Iwhich have been illustrated.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but `desire to avail myself of all changes Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

yl. A load anchoring assembly for securing loads in freight oars, trucks, or other vehicles having a iloor and upwardly extending side walls, comprising a plurality of metal channels, each having a wide vertical web secured to the side walls of the vehicle and each having narrow inwardly projecting upper and lower parallel flanges carried by said web and provided with a multiplicity of regularly horizontally spaced vertical cylindrical apertures located in the upper flange of each channel, a plurality of loader beams each extending horizontally from a channel on one wall to a channel at the same level on the other wall, each loader beam comprising an extruded externally rectangular hollow metal member provided on its inside with an integral cylindrical reinforcing rod located `and attached inside each of the four inner corners of said hollow metal member and extending from a point near one end of each loader beam to a similar point in the other end of each loader beam, each end of each loader beam having the reinforcing rods removed at the ends of each beam outwardly of said points, leaving the ends of each beam with a short empty rectangular horizontal socket, and an end tting carried by each end of each loader beam and tting therein, each iitting having a horizontal central body llange projecting beyond the end of the loader beam and provided at a specic distance from the end of the loader beam with a pair of integral vertically extending cylindrical depending lugs, spaced accurately to be received in two adjacent apertures in the upper anges of the metal channels at the same time the vertically extending lugs at the other end of any loader beam are located in similar apertures at the other side of the vehicle with each loader beam extending horizontally and at right angles to the walls, each end iitting being of substantially the shape of a rectangular S, which lits against the bare inner vertical walls of the socket in the end of each loader beam and against the top and the bottom wall of each socket, the upper flange and the lower ange of each fittting being secured to the upper beam ange and to the lower beam flange, by threaded means, respectively, each beam having a multiplicity of elongated rectangular apertures adapted to receive a steel strapping, `said apertures being arranged in a plurality of series, each series being located about all sides of each beam, and each aperture being located with one of its sides adjacent one side of each reinforcing rod so that a steel strapping fitting the apertures may pass into the beam about a rod in said beam and out an aperture in another side of the beam without any sharp bends, the said beams having their ends placeable with their vertical `cylindrical lugs movable into anchoring position only when the beam carrying them is located accurately horizontal and at right angles, and being removable only in the reverse direction simultaneously at both ends, the beams being held by gravity with their cylindrical lugs in cylindrical `apertures and resisting separation or movement in any other direction than vertically upward.

2. A load anchoring assembly according to claim 1, in which the extruded member is also provided with a reinforcing rod centrally located and integrally attached to the inside of each side wall and each. side Wall is provided with a multiplicity of similar rectangular apertures located in the side wall on both sides of wall supported reinforcing rods.

3. A load anchoring assembly according to claim 1, in which two loader beams are located horizontally at the same level and provided with four corner clips, each clip having corner llanges engaging two sides of a box at each corner, each clip having vertical and horizontal anchoring flanges extending into adjacent elongated apertures in the loader beams, and each clip having a horizontal body supporting the weight of a box conlined by said corner anges, also anchoring the clips in place.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,005 Schwieger June 8, 1909 1,819,254 Mantle Aug. 18, 1931 2,640,442 Johnsen lune 2, 1953 2,806,436 Johnston Sept. 17, 1957 2,827,861 Candlin Mar. 25, 1958 2,873,695 Tobin Feb. 17, 1959 2,879,721 Dunlap Mar. 31, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS;

881,486 France Jan. 28, 1943 

